Plectrum holder

ABSTRACT

A plectrum holder and a plectrum in the form of a ring ( 6 ) comprising catching means ( 9 ). The ring is placed on the index finger of a user and is embodied in such a way as to retain the plectrum against a planar surface ( 8 ) located on the outer rim of the ring.

The object of the invention is a plectrum holder and plectrum.

Musicians who use a guitar or a bass vibrate the strings of theirinstrument either with their fingers or with a plectrum or mediator. Theplectrum, or mediator, is a tab held between the user's thumb and indexfinger, and allows for a different sound to be obtained from the soundobtained when the fingers are used to vibrate the strings of theinstrument. The musician using the guitar or bass may find it useful toplay with his fingers for a time and then quickly switch to using aplectrum or a mediator, and vice versa.

The purpose of the invention is to allow for switching from use with aplectrum to use without a plectrum, that is, with the fingers, withoutthe user having to put the plectrum down. Conversely, when the userwishes to return to the plectrum after use with his fingers, he has tofind where he put the plectrum and pick it back up between the thumb andindex finder to continue playing. The purpose of the invention is toeliminate this inconvenience, and to allow the user to keep the plectrumnear his fingers and be able to pick it back up instantly.

The plectrum holder according to the invention is characterised in thatit is in the form of a ring designed to be placed on the index finger ofa user, the ring comprising securing means designed to hold a plectrumagainst its outer surface.

The securing means can comprise a flat magnetic surface against whichthe plectrum is positioned, itself having at least one conductivesection designed to cooperate with the magnetic surface. The conductivesection of the plectrum can consist of a metal plate.

The metal plate can have an elongated shape designed to be placed on themagnetic surface in a predetermined position.

Alternatively, the plectrum holder can have securing means comprising aflat surface and a spring tab designed to push and hold the plectrumagainst the flat surface.

The plectrum holder can be in the form of a close ring or in the form ofa ring with an opening opposite the flat surface, the ring thus beingmade up of the aforementioned surface with its securing means, and twoflexible arms clasping the user's index finger.

Drawing 1 shows, as an example, two embodiments of the plectrum holderthat is the object of the invention.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 shows a plectrum or mediator

FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of the plectrum holder

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the plectrum holder

FIG. 4 shows the hand of a user who has put the plectrum holder on hisindex finger, and is holding the plectrum in his fingers, and

FIG. 5 is a view of the user's hand, the plectrum being positioned andheld by the plectrum holder.

FIG. 1 in the drawing shows a plectrum or mediator 1 in the form of anelongated disc. The plectrum 1 is normally made from plastic, and isdesigned to be held between the user's thumb and index finger as shownin FIG. 4. It is used to vibrate the strings of a guitar or bass. Asshown in FIG. 1, the plectrum 1 comprises an elongated conductivesurface, applied permanently to the plectrum. This conductive surface 2is normally a metal plate. It is obvious that the metal surface 2 can bereplaced by an integral conductive section forming part of the plectrum1. Alternatively, the plectrum 1 can be made from a conductive material.

The plectrum holder 3 shown in FIG. 2 is in the form of a ring 4 with aflat surface 5 on its outer circumference. The surface 5 is a magneticsurface designed to attract the metal surface 2 of the plectrum 1. Asshown in the drawing, as the surfaces 2 and 5 are elongated, theplectrum will automatically be positioned in the position shown in FIG.5 when it is brought near the ring 3.

The use of the plectrum holder is very simple, and is in particularshown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In these figures, the plectrum holder is heldbetween the user's thumb and index finger, as shown in FIG. 4. When theuser no longer wishes to use the plectrum, he will bring the plectrum 1against the surface 5 of the plectrum holder 3 with his thumb. Theplectrum will thus be held in the position shown in FIG. 5 and the usercan then continue to play with his fingers. When he wishes to use theplectrum 1 again, he can use his thumb to slide the plectrum 1 along hisindex finger, and take it between his thumb and index finger again.

In the embodiment in FIG. 3, the plectrum holder 6 is also in the formof a ring very similar to the embodiment in FIG. 2. The plectrum holder6 also has a flat surface 8 designed to hold the plectrum. The surface 8is partly covered by a spring tab 9 designed to hold the plectrum 1after it has been inserted between the surface 8 and the tab 9. Theplectrum 6 ¹ is used in the same way as the plectrum in FIG. 2. When theuser, holding the plectrum between his thumb and index finger, wishes toplay with his fingers, he brings the plectrum 1 against the surface 10with his thumb and the aforementioned plectrum is held by the tab 9.Conversely, when he wishes to take the plectrum again, he simply has tobring his thumb up to the level of the first knuckle on his indexfinger, exert pressure on the plectrum 1 and bring it down to the end ofhis index finger with his thumb.¹ Translator's note: The original text contains a typing error, as theplectrum is numbered 1, and the plectrum holder is numbered 6.

The ring 6 shown in FIG. 3 can have an open part 7 opposite the part ofthe plectrum holder bearing the surface 8. The ring is thus interruptedalong the lines 10 in FIG. 3, and is thus in the form of two arms 11 and12 placed on either side of the central part bearing the flat surface 8.The arms 11 and 12 will preferably have a certain flexibility so thatthey clasp the user's index finger.

When it is used with the embodiment of the plectrum holder in accordancewith FIG. 3, the plectrum or mediator does not have a conductive surface2 as shown in FIG. 1.

1. Plectrum holder and plectrum, in the form of a ring designed to beplaced on the index ringer of a user, the ring comprising securing meansdesigned to hold the plectrum against its outer surface, wherein thesecuring means comprise a flat magnetic surface against which theplectrum is positioned, itself having at least one conductive sectiondesigned to cooperate with the magnetic surface of the ring.
 2. Plectrumholder according to claim 2, wherein the conductive section of theplectrum is a metal plate.
 3. Plectrum holder according to claim 3,wherein the metal plate has an elongated shape designed to be placed onthe magnetic surface in a predetermined position.
 4. Plectrum holderaccording to claim 2, wherein the plectrum is made from a conductivematerial.